Projects
◾ Extension & Refurbishment – Putney
VIEW PROJECT
VIEW PROJECT
VIEW PROJECT
VIEW PROJECT
◾ Contemporary Renovation – HAMPTON
◾ Apartment Renovation – CHIGWELL
◾ Extension & Refurbishment – Dulwich
about us
◾Philosophy & Values
◾Sustainability & Passive Design
◾Who we are
◾Our Process
Design & Build
Construction
Sustainability
Architecture
Green Homes
Renewables
Other services
Our Story
Our Values
How We Build
Overview
Project Management
After Care
Property Maintenance
Sustainability
Amidst the growing trend of embracing sustainability, it's rare to find companies who can articulate a clear definition of what 'being green' truly entails. Here at Pivotal DB, we differentiate ourselves by adhering to a framework of 9 core sustainability principles.
1. Promote Healthy Living
We aim to create a comfortable, safe, and allergy-free living space by using non-toxic materials, clean ventilation, humidity control, water filtration, & natural light.
2. Prioritise Durability, Performance & Comfort
We work to increase durability and comfort while lowering the annual operational energy of our homes by investing in the building shell, windows, and mechanical systems.
3. Catch & Store Energy
By decreasing the carbon footprint of our homes we offer solutions that work with nature such as geothermal, PV solar, battery systems, and green roofs.
4. Select Renewable Materials
We work to reduce the embodied energy of our homes by choosing natural, non-toxic, recycled, low global warming potential, and carbon-negative materials.
5. Value Craftsmanship
A home should not be a disposable product or passing fad. We aim to build beautiful artisan homes of the highest quality to ensure our work is cherished for generations.
6. Value Craftsmanship
A home should not be a disposable product or passing fad. We aim to build beautiful artisan homes of the highest quality to ensure our work is cherished for generations.
7. Keep it Local
We prioritise partnering with local artisans, suppliers, and subcontractors to deliver exceptional products while minimising transportation distances.
8. Minimise Waste
We strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible—whether that be by salvaging and donating reusable material, or selecting new recycled materials.
9. Plan For The Future
We aim to future-proof our homes by being thoughtful towards the climate, technology, urban density, age-in-place design, and intergenerational living.
The anatomy of a high performance home
Use the menu bar to the right to explore
the key elements of a high performance home.
the key elements of a high performance home.
Windows tend to be the weak point in any wall assembly. Selecting better windows therefore makes a significant impact on the overall performance of your home. High quality windows also reduce drafts through improved air-tightness. Both of these factors make living in your home a more comfortable experience.
Upgrading the amount of insulation around the entire building envelope helps reduce energy demands and increase comfort. There are a lot of different strategies to create a super insulated building, but one of the best is exterior continuous insulation (ECI) because it also helps reduce thermal bridges.
A typical exterior wall in a home today only has insulation between the studs. The problem with this strategy is there's no thermal protection between the outside and inside of a stud. This creates a thermal bridge and allows thermal energy to move through the stud in-and-out of the home, depending on the season. The solution is to introduce a thermal break to slow down the heat loss through the studs and better insulate the building.
One of the goals of modern construction is to make the building envelope extremely air-tight to prevent infiltration or loss of conditioned air. A small change in the air-tightness of a building can make a big difference in both performance and comfort.
In the past, buildings were so leaky that it was not necessary to mechanically bring fresh air into the home. As modern construction becomes more air-tight it becomes increasingly important to both bring in fresh air and exhaust stale air, keeping the air pressure in the home balanced. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) pre-conditions the incoming outdoor air with the energy of the out-going stale air.
A high performance mechanical system is one that can deliver above average comfort and energy efficiency. Zoning, sizing, and layout all need to be thought through to provide efficient comfort. One of the best ways of increasing energy efficiency today is by using heat pump technology, whether it's an air-source heat pump that sits outside your home and exchanges thermal energy with the outdoor air or a geothermal ground-source pump that exchanges thermal energy with the earth.
A zero energy home is one that produces as much energy as it consumes. All of the features listed above can help reduce the amount of energy a building consumes, which then reduces the size of the PV solar array needed to reach a 100% offset and become net zero.
Going all-electric is placing a bet on a greener future. By not connecting any fossil fuels, homes that go all-electric are fully prepared for the on-going transition to 100% clean energy within the electrical grid. Given the current high cost of electricity, high performance matters even more when building an all-electric home. Adding PV solar, geothermal, or exploring incentive programs with your local utility are all great ways of offsetting these higher monthly costs.
Passive Design
Passive design harnesses your local climate to naturally maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. This innovative approach uses smart design principles to minimise or even eliminate the need for additional heating and cooling.
It treats your home as a living system, encouraging you to actively participate in its climate control. By opening and closing shades and windows strategically throughout the year, you can take advantage of the suns warmth and cooling breezes, working in harmony with nature to create a comfortable living environment.
Elements contribute to passive design.
It treats your home as a living system, encouraging you to actively participate in its climate control. By opening and closing shades and windows strategically throughout the year, you can take advantage of the suns warmth and cooling breezes, working in harmony with nature to create a comfortable living environment.
Elements contribute to passive design.
Passive Heating
Passive heating utilises the sun’s natural warmth to your benefit. It relies on smart design choices that maximise winter solar gain. This approach starts with orientating your home to capture optimal winter sunlight. Properly sized eaves work in concert with this orientation, allowing winter sun in, while blocking harsh summer rays.
Strategic placement and sizing of windows and doors further enhance this effect, acting as entry points for warming sunlight.
When these elements are well-designed, they create an efficient system that channels the suns heat within your home. The result is a naturally warmer living space during cold seasons, reducing reliance on artificial heating.
Strategic placement and sizing of windows and doors further enhance this effect, acting as entry points for warming sunlight.
When these elements are well-designed, they create an efficient system that channels the suns heat within your home. The result is a naturally warmer living space during cold seasons, reducing reliance on artificial heating.
Passive Cooling
Passive cooling in building design revolves around three key principles: minimising daytime heat gain, maximising nighttime heat loss, and facilitating the entry of cool breezes for cross-flow ventilation.
To minimise heat gain, we employ strategies such as correctly sized and positioned eaves, high-quality insulation, proper shading, and effective sealing. Heat loss is promoted through the enhancement of natural air movement throughout the building. In Adelaide, for example, this involves capturing the morning or evening south-westerly breezes to create natural airflow, maintaining interior comfort without relying on mechanical systems.
Convective ventilation is maximised through the thoughtful placement of high-level windows and the incorporation of ceiling or roof space vents. This approach adapts to the rhythms of the local climate, creating more sustainable and comfortable living spaces.
By integrating these passive cooling techniques, buildings can effectively regulate temperature, reduce energy consumption, and provide a more pleasant indoor environment.
To minimise heat gain, we employ strategies such as correctly sized and positioned eaves, high-quality insulation, proper shading, and effective sealing. Heat loss is promoted through the enhancement of natural air movement throughout the building. In Adelaide, for example, this involves capturing the morning or evening south-westerly breezes to create natural airflow, maintaining interior comfort without relying on mechanical systems.
Convective ventilation is maximised through the thoughtful placement of high-level windows and the incorporation of ceiling or roof space vents. This approach adapts to the rhythms of the local climate, creating more sustainable and comfortable living spaces.
By integrating these passive cooling techniques, buildings can effectively regulate temperature, reduce energy consumption, and provide a more pleasant indoor environment.
Orientation
Orientation is crucial in passive design, referring to a buildings position relative to the suns path and prevailing winds. In Australia, north-facing rooms receive the most sunlight during winter and can be easily shaded in summer, making them ideal for living areas.
Before designing your home, we’ll gather information on your sites geographical features and existing infrastructure. This includes understanding how east- and west-facing walls receive more sun in summer mornings and afternoons, while north-facing walls get more solar radiation in winter due to the suns lower position.
Our designers will work to optimise your homes orientation regardless of your blocks layout. We’ll consider how to best position living and sleeping areas to either harness or protect from sun and wind effects. Your buildings design and treatment of north-facing walls and roofline will determine its solar access.
By tailoring the design to your specific location, we can create a home that takes full advantage of natural elements, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Before designing your home, we’ll gather information on your sites geographical features and existing infrastructure. This includes understanding how east- and west-facing walls receive more sun in summer mornings and afternoons, while north-facing walls get more solar radiation in winter due to the suns lower position.
Our designers will work to optimise your homes orientation regardless of your blocks layout. We’ll consider how to best position living and sleeping areas to either harness or protect from sun and wind effects. Your buildings design and treatment of north-facing walls and roofline will determine its solar access.
By tailoring the design to your specific location, we can create a home that takes full advantage of natural elements, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Orientation
Orientation is crucial in passive design, referring to a buildings position relative to the suns path and prevailing winds. In Australia, north-facing rooms receive the most sunlight during winter and can be easily shaded in summer, making them ideal for living areas.
Before designing your home, we’ll gather information on your sites geographical features and existing infrastructure. This includes understanding how east- and west-facing walls receive more sun in summer mornings and afternoons, while north-facing walls get more solar radiation in winter due to the suns lower position.
Our designers will work to optimise your homes orientation regardless of your blocks layout. We’ll consider how to best position living and sleeping areas to either harness or protect from sun and wind effects. Your buildings design and treatment of north-facing walls and roofline will determine its solar access.
By tailoring the design to your specific location, we can create a home that takes full advantage of natural elements, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Before designing your home, we’ll gather information on your sites geographical features and existing infrastructure. This includes understanding how east- and west-facing walls receive more sun in summer mornings and afternoons, while north-facing walls get more solar radiation in winter due to the suns lower position.
Our designers will work to optimise your homes orientation regardless of your blocks layout. We’ll consider how to best position living and sleeping areas to either harness or protect from sun and wind effects. Your buildings design and treatment of north-facing walls and roofline will determine its solar access.
By tailoring the design to your specific location, we can create a home that takes full advantage of natural elements, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency.
Insulation
Properly installed insulation is an integral part of an energy-efficient home. Insulation acts as a barrier for your home, stopping heat from entering or escaping.
There are three main types of insulation: bulk insulation, which uses air pockets to slow conductive and convective heat flow; reflective insulation, which reflects radiant heat back to its source; and composite insulation, which combines bulk and reflective properties.
In our AGH homes, we’ve implemented comprehensive insulation strategies. External walls feature a 140mm stud frame, allowing for increased R4.0 insulation. Internal walls have R1.5, floors R4.0, and roof R4.0 (for two-storey homes), while ceiling spaces are insulated to R6.0. We also use a reflective blanket under our roofing iron for additional heat protection.
Installation is carefully monitored to ensure no gaps, with foam used in difficult areas. This attention to detail is critical, as proper insulation installation prevents unwanted heat transfer and maximises energy efficiency.
There are three main types of insulation: bulk insulation, which uses air pockets to slow conductive and convective heat flow; reflective insulation, which reflects radiant heat back to its source; and composite insulation, which combines bulk and reflective properties.
In our AGH homes, we’ve implemented comprehensive insulation strategies. External walls feature a 140mm stud frame, allowing for increased R4.0 insulation. Internal walls have R1.5, floors R4.0, and roof R4.0 (for two-storey homes), while ceiling spaces are insulated to R6.0. We also use a reflective blanket under our roofing iron for additional heat protection.
Installation is carefully monitored to ensure no gaps, with foam used in difficult areas. This attention to detail is critical, as proper insulation installation prevents unwanted heat transfer and maximises energy efficiency.
Glazing
Windows play a crucial role in your homes thermal performance, so we’ve included high-quality double-glazed windows in our standard specification.
Up to 40% of heating energy can be lost and up to 87% of heat gained through poorly insulated windows. By strategically placing double-glazed windows in your home, you can maximise heat gain in winter and minimise heat loss compared to lower-performing windows.
Up to 40% of heating energy can be lost and up to 87% of heat gained through poorly insulated windows. By strategically placing double-glazed windows in your home, you can maximise heat gain in winter and minimise heat loss compared to lower-performing windows.
